Method of supporting resistor mounting plates



Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,590

T. A. REID. METHOD OF SUPPORTING RESISTOR MOUNTING PLATES F|LEDMAR,30.192}.

II ig WITNESSES: /O INVENTOR magma A fiev'a W77 WWW TTOIQNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,443,590 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. REID, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR- TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF SUPPORTING RESISTOR MOUNTING PLATES.

Application filed March 30, 1921 Serial No. 456,830.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs A. REID, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the count-y of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of Supporting Resistor Mounting Plates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric'furnaces and particularly to electric resistance furnaces and it has for its object to provide a relatively simple and easilymanufactured' heating-unit supporting means.

In practicing my invention, 1 provide a device embodying my invention with an as;-

sociated heating unit;

Fig. 3 is a view, in end elevation, of a modified form of the device embodying my invention with an associated heating unit,

and

Fig. 4 is a View, in side elevation, of a heating unit which is to be operatively associated withthe device embodying my invention.

The heating unit hereinafter referred to more in detail and illustrated in Fig. 4, constitutes the subject-matter of a joint application of O. A. Colby and myself, Serial No. 449,685, filed March 5, 1921, the assignee'of whichis the same as that of the present application.

An electric resistance furnace 1, comprises an outer metallic framework or casing 2 supported on suitable standards 3. An inner lining 4 of suitable refractory heat-insulating brick is located in the casing 2, the bricks comprising the lining 4 being so spaced apart as to form a suitable chamber 5.

A plurality of heating-unit supporting membersG are located inside of the lining .4, each of which comprises a refractory member substantially rectangular in contour and of any desired or suitable material and thick- 55' ness to withstand not only the relatively high temperature to which it will be subjected, but also to possess sufficient mechanical strength. The members 6 may be described as being of overhanging channel-section in lateral cross section or as comprising a member having a relatively shallow, Wide, and

partially enclosed channel or depression '7 in one face orsurface thereof and overhanging portions 8; the said overhanging portions being oppositely spaced relatively to each other.

A resistor-supporting member 9 comprises a relatively thin refractory plate substantially rectangular in contour having a plurality of spaced and alined projections 10 on one surface thereof, the spacing and alinement of the projections 10 being such as to permit of a resistance element 11 being located on one surface of the plate 9 and held in operative position thereon by means of the projections 10. The resistor element 11 comprises suitable resistance metal of relatively large cross-sectional area, so as to make it possible to form the same to the shape illustrated in Fig. 4 before it is placed onthe plate 9.

The Widthof the channel 7 is slightly greater than the Width of the plate 9 and the heating unit, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 4'of the drawing, may be placed in its operative position relatively to the member 6 by sliding the plate and the resistor element 11 laterally into the channel 7 the projections 8 serving to hold the members in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The furnace illustrated in Fig. 1 combines a plurality of heating-unit supporting members 6 located at the side walls and at the top Wall of the furnace. The members 6 at the sides of the furnace are substantially of the shape illustrated in Fig. 2 while the members 6 used in the top wall of the furnace are slightly modified at their edges to permit of a plurality of members 6 being combined to form a self-supporting arch member. Suitable slabs or bricks 12 and 13 are provided to form, a part-of the roof of the furnace and to cooperate with the members 6 at the top to form a supporting means for the arch. The shape of the members 12 and 13 is for illustrative purposes only as they may be made of any required shape to perform their intended function.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified form of the heating-unit supporting member which comprises a refractory memberl l provided with a channel portion 15, this channel portion being somewhat wider than the channel por 14 as to permit of sliding the upper edge of the plate 9 back of the upper overhanging portion 8, andof so moving it upwardly as to permit of the lower edge of the plate 9 clearing the upper edge of the lower overhanging portion 8. The plate 9 may now be so moved as to cause it to lie substantially parallel to the inner surface of the member 1.4 after which it may be dropped to the position indicated by the full lines of Fig. 3. The modified form of the heating-unit supporting member thus permits of quickly removing a damaged plate or one in which the resistor element 11 has become damaged and of quickly replacing it by a new plate and resistor element without the necessity of disturbing or of removing any other of the members 1 1. p

It may be noted that the bottom heating units in the furnace comprise only members 9 and the associated resistor elements -11, p

thin plate'substantially narrower than said but this is not essential as I may use either members 6 or 14 for the floor of the furnace, in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 1 for the other walls of the furnace chamber.

It may be noted that the device embody .ing my invention provides a relatively simple and easily manufactured heatingunit supporting means as. well as providing a lining for the furnace chamber. By the use of the modified form of the device embodying my invention, I provide a heating unit supporting member which permits of quick and easy removal of a damaged heatparting from the spirit and scope thereof and I desire that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are limited by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric resistance furnace, in combination, a plurality of refractory walls enclosing a furnace chamber, a plurality of refractory supporting members, the lateral cross-section of which is of substantially overhung-channel shape, the overhanging portions being of unequal length, and a heating unit, supported by each of said overhanging portions, comprising a relatively thin plate substantially narrower than said.

channel aiid a resistor unit supiported by said plate, said plate being place in operative positionby a lateral and tilting move- .ment thereof.

2; In an electric resistance furnace, in combination, a plurality of refractory walls enclosing a furnace chamber, a plurality of refractory supporting fnembers, the lateral cross-section of which is of substantially overhung-channel shape, the overhanging portions being of unequal length, and a heat- '1ng .unit, supported by each of said overhanging portions, comprising a relatively cross-section of which is of substantially overhung-channel shape, the overhanging portions being of unequal length, and a heat ing unit, supported by each of said overhanging portions, comprising a relatively channel and a resistor unit supported by said plate, each of said thin refractory plates being selectively placeable in proper operative position by first moving one lateral edge under an overhanging portion and then placing the other lateral edge under the other overhanging portion.

4 In an electric resistance furnace, in combination, a plurality of refractory walls enclosing a furnace chamber, a plurality of refractory supporting members, the lateral cross-section of which is of substantially overhung-channel shape, the overhanging portions being of unequal length, and a heatingunit, supported by each of said overhanging portions, comprising a relatively thin plate substantially narrower than said channel and a resistor unit supported by said plate, each of said thin refractory plates being selectively placeable in proper operative position by' first moving one lateral edge under an overhanging portion and then placing the other lateral edge under the other overhanging portion and being selectively removable by a lateral and tilting movement thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this23rd day of March,

THOMAS A. REID. 

